Disposable elastic absorbent article having retaining enclosures

ABSTRACT

An integral disposable elasticized absorbent article has a front waist portion, a back waist portion, a crotch portion, a pair of spaced apart leg openings, an absorbent core member, and means for tightly fitting the absorbent body to the body of the wearer. The absorbent article has a barrier layer which comprises one or more segments overlying portions of the absorbent core member, and defining one or more retaining enclosures between the barrier layer segments and the underlying portion of the absorbent core member.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of pending application Ser.No. 09/097,198 filed Jun. 12, 1998.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to absorbent articles such asdisposable diapers, and is more particularly related to infant trainingpants and adult incontinent underpants, briefs and guards used forabsorption and containment of urine and other body exudates. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to such adult incontinentarticles which are easy to wear, securely fit against the body contoursfor effective prevention against leakage of urine and other bodyexudates, and which are also easy to remove. In one particular aspect,this invention relates to adults incontinent underpants, briefs andguards having retaining enclosures for preventing body exudates fromleaking through the article during use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Disposable absorbent articles such as disposable baby diapers and adultincontinent briefs, underpants, guards and the like articles are widelyused in homes and various health care facilities and institutions.Indeed the use of such articles has become a common sanitary practice,and while initially such absorbent articles were used mostly for babycare, more recently their use has been expanded for adults as well. Inboth instances, the absorbent article must be designed to effectivelyprevent leakage of urine and other fecal materials, while insuring bodyfit and comfort.

Present commercially available absorbent articles are generally unitaryin structure, pre-shaped and pre-folded, and comprise an absorptive padhaving a liquid permeable top sheet facing the wearer's body, a liquidimpermeable backsheet on the opposite side, and an absorbent sheet orpanel disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet. The absorbentarticle comprises a front side portion, a crotch portion and a backsideportion, and further includes elastic members along the circumference ofthe waist and around the leg openings. While the heretofore commerciallyavailable absorbent articles have been somewhat effective againstleakage of body fluids and fecal materials, and have therefore met somedegree of acceptability, they have not been entirely satisfactory fortheir intended applications. In other words, they have not proven to beentirely leak proof, nor have they completely prevented issuance of thebody exudates outside the diaper or the underpants. These deficienciesare primarily due to inadequate and loose body fit, which result inleakage of the body fluids and solids through the legs' openings. Theseproblems are even more pronounced in case of adults because of theirdiverse body shapes and varying contours. Another disadvantage of thecommercially available absorbent articles such as diapers, incontinentbriefs and the like, is associated with the ability of opening andremoving the soiled article without soiling the wearer's legs or body.

There is a plethora of patents which disclose the different attemptsmade by the prior art workers over the years to eliminate, or at leastminimize, the shortcomings of the present commercially availableabsorbent articles.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,795,454 describes an absorbent article provided with anelastically contractible gasketing cuff formed by a gasketing flap and aflap elastic member and a barrier cuff having a flap portion and achannel portion. A seal means for adjoining the proximal edge to thegasketing flap is positioned along the proximal edge so as provide aleak resistant seal along the proximal edge.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,599,338 describes a disposable diaper provided with afirst and second flap formed from or attached to the bodyside liner. Theflaps may be folded inwardly and the respective ends thereof may bebonded to the bodyside liner so that edges of flaps are directed towarda centerline of the garment.

PCT WO96/17570//EP 796066 describes a disposable diaper having a waistpocket cuff which has first and second portions separable along areleasable seam. The releasable seam can be formed by overlappingportions of the first and second portions of the pocket cuff. In oneembodiment the releasable seam includes a mechanical fastener forsecuring together the first and second portions of the pocket cuff.

EP 0 707 466 describes an absorbent sanitary article which comprises anabsorbent pad between a backing sheet and a covering sheet. The coveringsheet comprises a central opening which extends above the absorbent padand sets of elastic means are fixed to the covering sheet along thelongitudinal edges of the central opening. The article is characterizedin that it comprises a set of two hydrophobic flaps which aresymmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis.

Notwithstanding attempts by the prior art workers to provide absorbentarticles with improved body fit and protection against leakage of bodyexudates, nevertheless additional improvements are needed for providinga more suitable absorbent article.

The foregoing patents by no means constitute an exhaustive list of thepatents which reflect the efforts of the prior art workers in thisfield, but are merely illustrative for background purposes. As it can beappreciated, however, notwithstanding attempts by others to providesatisfactory absorbent articles for infants as well as for incontinentadults, there is still a need for providing improved articlescommercially, which are highly effective in preventing leakage of urineand other body exudates, and which are comfortable to wear andconformably fit the body contours so as to insure against such leakageand prevent soiling the wearer's body as well as the person who appliesthe garment to the wearer.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide adisposable absorbent article such as baby diapers, adult incontinentunderpants, briefs, guards and the like articles, which overcome thedeficiencies and shortcomings of the prior art absorbent articles,including the present commercially available products used for thispurpose.

It is another object of this invention to provide a disposable absorbentarticles which, due to its unique construction, provide improved fit tothe body and prevent leakage of urine and other body exudates throughthe leg openings by providing the article with exudate-retainingenclosures.

It is also an object of this invention to provide such disposableabsorbent articles which have tensionable elastic elements which insurebody fit and conformal movements in response to the body shape andcontours, and provides for examination of the condition of the article.

The foregoing and other objects and features of the present inventionwill be more fully comprehended and appreciated from the ensuingdetailed description and the figures in the drawing which form parts ofthe application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with this invention an integral disposable elasticizedabsorbent article is provided having a front waist portion, a back waistportion, a crotch portion, a pair of spaced apart leg openings, anabsorbent core member, and means for fastening the absorbent body snuglyto the body of the wearer. In one embodiment of the invention theabsorbent article has an elasticized barrier layer securely fixed at thelongitudinal and lateral sides of the body and having inner elasticizededges. The elasticized barrier layer overlies a portion of the absorbentcore and forms a retaining enclosure between said barrier layer and saidportion of the absorbent core.

In different embodiments of the invention the elasticized barrier layercomprises two or more segments which form retaining enclosures with theunderlying portions of the core member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like parts:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an absorbent article, in stretchedposition, according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 1A is a cutaway view of the absorbent article shown in FIG. 1 witha portion removed.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the absorbent panel of the absorbentarticle shown in FIG. 1, in bowed position;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a stretched plan view of the absorbent article shown in FIG.1;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5-5 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 6-6 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line 7-7 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an absorbent article according toanother embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8A is a cutaway view of the absorbent article shown in FIG. 8 witha portion removed;

FIG. 9 is a stretched plan view of the absorbent article shown in FIG.8;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along the line 10-10 in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along the line 11-11 in FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along the line 12-12 I FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along the line 13-13 in FIG. 13;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an absorbent article according to yetanother embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 14A is a cutaway view of the absorbent article shown in FIG. 14with a portion removed;

FIG. 15 is a stretched plan view of the absorbent article shown in FIG.14;

FIG. 16 is a sectional view taken along the line 16-16 in FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a sectional view taken along the line 17-17 in FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 is a sectional view taken along the line 18-18 in FIG. 15;

FIG. 19 is a sectional view taken along the line 19-19 in FIG. 15;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of an absorbent article made according toanother embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 20A is a cutaway view of the article shown in FIG. 20 with portionremoved;

FIG. 20B is a perspective view of the absorbent panel of the absorbentarticle shown in FIG. 20, in bowed position;

FIG. 21 is a stretched plan view of the absorbent article shown in FIG.20;

FIG. 22 is a sectional view taken along the line 22-22 in FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a sectional view taken along the line 23-23 in FIG. 21;

FIG. 24 is a sectional view taken along he line 24-24 in FIG. 21;

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of an absorbent article according toanother embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 26 is a stretched plan view of the absorbent article shown in FIG.25;

FIG. 27 is a sectional view taken along the line 27-27 in FIG. 26;

FIG. 28 is a sectional view taken along the line 28-28 in FIG. 26;

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of an absorbent article made according tostill another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 30 is a stretched plan view of the absorbent article shown in FIG.29;

FIG. 31 is a sectional view taken along the line 31-31 in FIG. 30;

FIG. 32 is a sectional view taken along the line 32-32 in FIG. 30;

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 34 is a perspective view of the absorbent pad of the absorbentarticle shown in FIG. 33, in bowed position;

FIG. 35 is a stretched plan view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 33;

FIG. 36 is a sectional view taken along the line 36-36 of FIG. 35, and

FIG. 37 is a sectional view taken along the line 37-37 of FIG. 35.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, first to FIGS. 1-7, there is shown, in FIG.1, an absorbent article generally designated as 100, in the form of abrief in a stretched position. The term “brief” as used herein isintended to refer to disposable garments worn below the lower part ofthe torso by incontinent persons and also comprises disposable articlessuch as baby diapers, adult incontinent underpants, guards and the likearticles. The absorbent article 100 comprises a back waist region 101, afront waist region 103 and a crotch region 105. As shown in FIGS. 5, 6,and 7, the absorbent article 100 comprises a liquid pervious top sheetor layer 107 facing the body of the wearer, a liquid imperviousbacksheet 109 which is usually coextensive with the top layer 107, andan absorbent core or pad 111 disposed between the top sheet 107 andbacksheet 109. An acquisition layer 113 between the top sheet 107 andthe absorbent layer 111 serves to temporarily retain the body exudatesand slowly distribute them through the absorbent pad 111. These layersare sealed to each other to form a composite sheet.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the absorbent article 100 is provided withthe fastening means or tabs such as the left fastening tab 115A and theright tab 115B, both attached to the back waist portion 101. Thesefastening tabs are employed to secure the absorbent article around thebody of the wearer. The absorbent article 100 also comprises the legopenings 117,119 through which the legs of the wearer extend when thearticle is worn.

The uniqueness of the absorbent article of this invention as shown, forexample, in FIGS. 1-7, resides in the provision of retaining enclosuresfor retaining the exudates and preventing the exudates from leakingthrough the article during its use. In addition, this unique structureprovides for longitudinal and lateral forces for improved snug body fitwhich are particularly effective during body movements when the articleis soiled.

As is further shown in FIG. 1, the absorbent article 100 comprises thebarrier layer 121 defined by four segments 121A, 121B, 121C and 121Dwhich overlies the absorbent region 110 and form the exudate retainingenclosures A, B, C and D (see FIG. 3). The barrier layer 121 is securedto the inside surface of the absorbent article by a suitable adhesive orby some other suitable means. Each of the segments 121A, 121B, 121C and121D has an inner (relative to the longitudinal sides of the article)elasticized edge such as the elasticized edges 123A, 123B, 123C and123D. The elasticized edges 123A and 123B are secured together at 125while the elasticized edges 123C and 123D are joined together at 127.The elasticized edges are joined together adhesively or may be stitchedtogether if desired. The elasticized edges 123A, 123C can overlap eachother to form the dual protection barrier 129 near the leg opening 119and the elasticized edges 123B and 123D can overlap each other near theleg opening 117 to form a double protection barrier 131. The cutawayview in FIG. 1A illustrates the extension of the elastic edge 123B froma point on the lateral side of the absorbent pad 111 which issubstantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X-X to a point atthe longitudinal side of the absorbent layer.

The barrier layer segments 121A, 121B, 121C and 121D may be fabricatedfrom a vapor pervious non-woven material and may be a single layer ormultilayer sheet. Such material is available from First Quality Fibers,Inc., McElhattan, Pa., as 17 GSM (gram per square meter) SMS(spunbond/melt blown/spunbond) non-woven grade 172 BWH.

The other materials used in the construction of the absorbent article ofthe invention are of the type and variety known in the art and aredescribed in several patents such as, for example, U.S. Pat. No.4,695,278 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,795,454.

Thus, the liquid pervious top layer 107 is a compliant soft materialwhich is not irritating to the skin. Such material can be made fromporous foams, reticulated foams, plastics, natural fibers, such as woodor cotton fibers, synthetic fibers such as polyester or polypropylenefibers, or made from a combination of said materials. A suitablepolypropylene material is available from First Quality Fibers, Inc.,McElhattan, Pa., as grade 15 ILWH.

The liquid impervious backsheet or layer 109 is preferably manufacturedfrom a thin flexible plastic film such as polyethylene film availablefrom Clopay Plastic Products Company, Cincinnati, Ohio, as grade DH-203.

The absorbent layer 111 may be manufactured from a wide variety ofliquid absorbent materials of the type usually used in manufacturingdisposable diapers and other absorbent articles. Such materials includecomminuted wood pulp, creped cellulose wadding, absorbent foams,absorbent sponges, super absorbent polymers or a combination of saidmaterials.

The acquisition layer 113 is made from a nonwoven material whichtemporarily retain the exudates and distributes them in the absorbentlayer. Such material is available from American Nonwoven Corporation,Columbus, Miss., as grade RB-265-14-B/R.

The construction adhesives employed in the present invention is a hotmelt adhesive available from Reynolds, Inc., Greensville, S.C. asReynolds Code No. 51-942.

The composite sheets formed by the different layers of the absorbent padare shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 and they are basically the same as thecomposite sheet structure described in copending application Ser. No.09/149,265 filed Sep. 8, 1998. Thus, as shown in FIG. 5, the top layer107 is adhesively secured to the backsheet 109 by the constructionadhesive 133. As is also shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, the elastic elements135 are attached along their lengths to the backsheet 109 by the elasticadhesive 136 (see, e.g., FIG. 5). The elastic adhesive is available fromH.B. Fuller of St. Paul, Minn., as type HL-1434-X-ZP.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 8-13 is basically similar to theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 1. However, the elasticized edges of thebarrier layer segments intersect at a point which is spaced away fromthe lateral edges of the absorbent article. Thus, the absorbent article200 in FIG. 8 comprises a back waist region 201, a front waist region203 and the crotch portion 205. As shown in FIGS. 10, 11, 12 and 13, theabsorbent article 200 comprises a liquid pervious top sheet or layer 207facing the body of the wearer, a liquid impervious backsheet 209 whichis usually coextensive with the top layer 207, an absorbent core or pad211 between the layers 207 and 209, and an acquisition layer 213disposed between the top sheet 207 and the absorbent layer 211. Theacquisition layer 213 serves to temporarily retain the body exudates andslowly distribute them through the absorbent pad 211. These layers aresealed to each other to form a composite sheet.

The absorbent article 200 is also provided with the left fastening meanor tab 215A and a right fastening mean or tab 215B, both attached to thebackwaist portion 201. As in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the fasteningmeans serve to secure the absorbent article around the body of thewearer. The absorbent article 200 further comprises the leg openings217, 219 through which the legs of the wearer extend when the article isworn. As in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the absorbent article shownin FIG. 8 comprises the barrier layer segments 221A, 221B, 221C and 221Dwhich overlie the absorbent region 210 and form therewith the retainingenclosures A¹, B¹, C¹ and D¹, respectively. Each of the segments 221A,221B, 221C and 221D has an inner elasticized edge such as theelasticized edges 223A, 223B, 223C and 223D. The elasticized edges 223Aand 223C cross each other near the leg opening 219, to form the dualprotection barrier 229, and the elasticized edges 223B and 223D overlapeach other to form the dual protection barrier 231 near the leg opening217. The elasticized edges 223A and 223B also cross each other near thefront lateral edge of the absorbent pad 211 and are secured thereto toform the front double protection barrier 225, and similarly theelasticized edges 223C and 223D cross each other at the opposite (rear)lateral edge of the absorbent region 210 to form a rear doubleprotection barrier 227. These double barrier protection layers assurethe integrity of the structure and provide for more improved protectionagainst leakage of the body exudates.

In the remaining embodiments, the structure of the absorbent pad isbasically the same as in the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1-13 andhence they will only be described briefly. Other features of theabsorbent articles in the embodiments illustrated by FIGS. 14, 20, 25and 29 are also similar as in the previous embodiments except for thebarrier layer segments which overlie the absorbent layer. Thus, theabsorbent article 300 shown in FIGS. 14-19 has a backwaist portion 301,a front waist portion 303, a crotch portion 305, a liquid pervious topsheet or layer 307, a liquid impervious backsheet 309, an absorbentlayer 310, an acquisition layer 315 (see FIGS. 17-19), the fasteningmeans or tabs 315A, 315B, and the leg openings 317, 319. The absorbentarticle in FIG. 14 also comprises the barrier layer segments 321A, 321B,321C and 321D which overlie the absorbent region 310 and form therewiththe retaining enclosures A², B², C² and D², respectively. Each of thesegments 321A, 321B, 321C and 321D has an inner elasticized edge 323A,323B, 323C and 323D. The elasticized edges 323A and 323D are secured toeach other by glue, mechanically or by stitching such as at 325 inspaced relation to the front lateral edge of the absorbent article, andthe elasticized edges 323B and 323C are fixed at the back lateral edgeof the absorbent pad, and are spaced apart from each other as in 326 and327. The elasticized edges 323A and 323C cross each other near the legopening 317 and define the double protection barrier 329 and, similarly,the elasticized edges 323B and 323D cross each other near the legopening 317 and define the double protection barrier 331. As in theprevious embodiments, these double protection barrier layers assure theintegrity of the structure and provide additional protection againstleakage of the body exudates.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 20-24, the absorbent article 400has a backwaist portion 401, a front waist portion 403, a crotch portion405, a liquid pervious top sheet or layer 407, a liquid imperviousbacksheet 409, an absorbent pad 411, an acquisition layer 413, thefastening means or tabs 415A, 415B, and the leg openings 317, 319. Theabsorbent article in FIG. 20 also comprises the barrier layer segments421A and 421B having opposed, spaced-apart inner (relative to thelateral side edges of the absorbent article) arch-shaped elasticizededges 423A and 423B which partly overlap and define a generally ovalregion 410 of the absorbent panel 411. The barrier layer segments 421A,421B with their respective elasticized edges 423A, 423B define theretaining enclosures A³, B³ which serve to retain the body exudates. Thearch-shaped elasticized inner edges 423A and 423B cross one another nearthe leg openings 417,419 thus forming the double protection barriers425, 427 for added structural integrity and improved protection againstleakage of the body exudate.

The absorbent article shown in FIGS. 25-28 has a backwaist portion 501,a front waist portion 503, a crotch portion 505, a liquid pervious topsheet or layer 507, a liquid impervious backsheet 509, an absorbent pad511, an acquisition layer 513, the fastening means or tabs 515A, 515B,and the leg openings 517, 519. The absorbent article in FIG. 25 alsocomprises the barrier layer segments 521, 523 in generally triangularconfiguration and form the retaining enclosures A⁴, B⁴ between theabsorbent region 510 and the barrier layer segments 521,523. The barrierlayer segments 521,523 have inner elastic edges 521 ^(A), 523 ^(B) whichare secured together and fixed at 525 in spaced relation to thebackwaist lateral edges of the absorbent article. Each of the elasticedges 521A and 523B is fixed to the absorbent article as in 526,527, onthe longitudinal side edge the front waist side of the absorbentarticle.

The absorbent article illustrated in FIGS. 29-32 is basically similar tothe embodiment shown in FIG. 25. Thus, the absorbent article 600 in FIG.29 has a backwaist portion 601, a front waist portion 603, a crotchportion 605, a liquid pervious top sheet or layer 607, a liquidimpervious backsheet 609, an absorbent pad 611, an acquisition layer613, the fastening means or tabs 615A, 615B, and the leg openings 617,619. The absorbent article in FIG. 29 also comprises the overlyingbarrier layer segment 621 having an inner elasticized edge 623 whichforms a retaining enclosure A⁵ between the absorbent region 610 and thebarrier layer 621. The ends of the elasticized edges 623 are fixed as at625,627.

Referring to FIGS. 33-37, the absorbent article 700 has a backwaistportion 701, a front waist portion 703, a crotch portion 705, a liquidpervious top sheet or layer 707, a liquid impervious backsheet 709, anabsorbent pad or core 711, an acquisition layer 713, the fastening meansor tabs 715A, 715B and the leg openings 717,719. The absorbent article700 also comprises the overlying barrier layer segments 721,723disposed, respectively, to the left and right of the absorbent region710. The left barrier layer segment 721 spans substantially the lengthof the absorbent pad and has a generally convex-shaped (relative to thelongitudinal axis Y-Y) inner elasticized edge 725 which is fixed to theabsorbent article at 726 and 728, and the right barrier segment 723spans substantially the length of the absorbent pad and has a generallyconvex-shaped inner elasticized edge 727 which is also fixed to theabsorbent article at 726 and 728. The inner elasticized edge 725,727define a generally oval region 729 below which the absorbent region 710is clearly visible. Thus, the left barrier layer segment 721 and itsunderlying portion of the absorbent region 710 define the exudateretaining enclosure A⁶, and the right barrier layer segment 723 and itsunderlying portion of the absorbent region 710 define the exudateretaining enclose B⁶, both a more clearly shown in FIG. 35.

While the present invention has been described and illustrated withreference to several embodiments with certain degree of specificity, itcan be appreciated that other embodiments and modifications are obviousto those skilled in the art based on the detailed description hereinwithout departing from the scope of the invention.

1-12. (canceled)
 13. A disposable elasticized absorbent article having alongitudinal axis and a lateral axis, comprising: (a) a top sheet, aback sheet, a waist portion having a front waist portion and a backwaist portion, a crotch portion and a pair of spaced apart leg openings;(b) an absorbent layer having a longitudinal axis and a horizontal axisdisposed between said top sheet and said back sheet, said absorbentlayer being defined by two opposed spaced apart longitudinal sides, eachlongitudinal side having a proximal end, a distal end and a middleportion, and opposed spaced apart proximal and distal lateral ends; and(c) a first elasticized barrier layer wherein said first elasticizedbarrier layer is an arch-shaped elasticized end barrier layer formed ofa pair of opposed leg segments and a generally concave bight segmentconnecting said leg segments, and having a first of said leg segmentsattached to said top sheet along a length of the periphery of saidabsorbent layer between the middle portion and distal end, inclusive, ofone of said longitudinal sides, a second of said leg segments oppositesaid first attached to said top sheet along a length of the periphery ofsaid absorbent layer between the middle portion and distal end,inclusive, of the other of said longitudinal sides, and said bightsegment attached to said top sheet along said distal lateral end of saidabsorbent layer, thereby forming a retaining enclosure between saidbarrier layer and said top sheet; said first elasticized barrier layerhaving an inner edge (i) defining a partially continuous configurationhaving a discontinuity therein, and (ii) extending for essentially itsentire length non-parallel to said longitudinal axis.
 14. A disposableelasticized absorbent article having a longitudinal axis and a lateralaxis, comprising: (a) a top sheet, a back sheet, a waist portion havinga front waist portion and a back waist portion, a crotch portion and apair of spaced apart leg openings; (b) an absorbent layer having alongitudinal axis and a horizontal axis disposed between said top sheetand said back sheet, said absorbent layer being defined by two opposedspaced apart longitudinal sides, each longitudinal side having aproximal end, a distal end and a middle portion, and opposed spacedapart proximal and distal lateral ends; (c) first elasticized barrierlayer wherein said first elasticized barrier layer is a generallyconcave elasticized end barrier layer having a first end segmentattached to said top sheet along a length of the periphery of saidabsorbent layer between the middle portion and distal end, inclusive, ofone of said longitudinal sides, a second end segment opposite said firstend segment attached to said top sheet along a length of the peripheryof said absorbent layer between the middle portion and proximal end,inclusive, of the other of said longitudinal sides, and an intermediatesegment connecting said first and second end segments attached to saidtop sheet along one of said lateral ends of said absorbent layer,thereby forming a retaining enclosure between said barrier layer andsaid top sheet; said first elasticized barrier layer having an inneredge (i) defining a partially continuous configuration having adiscontinuity therein, and (ii) extending for essentially its entirelength non-parallel to said longitudinal axis.
 15. A disposableelasticized absorbent article having a longitudinal axis and a lateralaxis, comprising: (a) a top sheet, a back sheet, a waist portion havinga front waist portion and a back waist portion, a crotch portion and apair of spaced apart leg openings; (b) an absorbent layer having alongitudinal axis and a horizontal axis disposed between said top sheetand said back sheet, said absorbent layer being defined by two opposedspaced apart longitudinal sides, each longitudinal side having aproximal end, a distal end and a middle portion, and opposed spacedapart proximal and distal lateral ends; and (c) first elasticizedbarrier layer wherein said first elasticized barrier layer is agenerally concave elasticized side barrier layer having a first endsegment attached to said top sheet along a length of the periphery ofsaid absorbent layer between the middle portion and distal end,inclusive, of one of said longitudinal sides, and a second end segmentopposite said first end segment attached to said top sheet along alength of the periphery of said absorbent layer between the middleportion and proximal end, inclusive, of said one longitudinal side, andan intermediate segment connecting said first and second end segmentsattached to said top sheet along said one longitudinal side, therebyforming a retaining enclosure between said barrier layer and said topsheet; said first elasticized barrier layer having an inner edge (i)defining a partially continuous configuration having a discontinuitytherein, and (ii) extending for essentially its entire lengthnon-parallel to said longitudinal axis.
 16. The article of claim 13wherein said inner edge of said first elasticized barrier layer iselasticized.
 17. The article of claim 14 wherein said inner edge of saidfirst elasticized barrier layer is elasticized.
 18. The article of claim15 wherein said inner edge of said first elasticized barrier layer iselasticized.
 19. The article of claim 13 wherein each of said firstelasticized barrier layer is a vapor-pervious nonwoven.
 20. The articleof claim 14 wherein each of said first elasticized barrier layer is avapor-pervious nonwoven.
 21. The article of claim 15 wherein each ofsaid first elasticized barrier layer is a vapor-pervious nonwoven.